I could not think of a title for this post that wasn't either super lame or involving the word cute, which what I'm about to show you, is. So for now, this post remains nameless. Please watch these as many times necessary to find the cuteness and hilarity (I fell in love before I even pressed play). 

Part 1:

Part 2:

CUTENESS OVERLOAD! -ACC

Back to Basics

"The first interview was general, designed to eliminate the obvious sociopaths. During the second interview we were asked why we wanted to be elves. This is always a problem question. I listened as the woman ahead of me, a former waitress, answered the question, saying, "I really want to be an elf? Because I think it's about acting? And before this I worked in a restaurant? Which was run by this really wonderful woman who had a dream to open a restaurant? And it made me realize that it's really really... important to have a... dream?" Everything this woman said, every phrase and sentence, was punctuated with a question mark and the interviewer never raised an eyebrow." - David Sedaris from Holidays on Ice

First of all, if you enjoyed that little excerpt from Holidays on Ice, I recommend you get the entire collection of short stories and just in time for the holiday season too! 

Secondly, I'm here to talk to you about something very important. Basic, but important. I'm here to discuss a topic that irks me to no end: the incorrectly placed spoken question mark. Referring back to the exerpt, the incorrectly placed spoken question mark is when someone ends their sentence with an inflection, like they are asking a question. Ever heard of someone being called a 'Valley Girl'? Guess what? It's not cute. 

I was prompted to write on this topic from working on/listening to group presentations in some of my classes. Every week I've had to listen to people presenting on a topic that they seemed pretty unsure of. If there is one thing I've learned in life, it's fake it till you make it. One of the easiest ways of doing this is speaking with authority, like you know what you're talking about, even when you have no clue. Do yourself a favor and listen to yourself speak. Hear that? It's a misplaced question mark! You're welcome, friends!   

-ACC

Fashion: Guest Post by Sara

I have incredibly talented and hilarious friends and it's high time I show them off. I've known Sara for quite a long time and now that we live in the same city (again) we've become great pals - I'm pretty sure a huge reason for this is because we can count on each other to laugh at our really lame awesome jokes. Sara is a recent grad from Fashion Merchandising and has an incredible eye for style and fashion, which I lack. So, without further ado, I present to you, Sara:

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By: Sara

I have been a long-time collector of fashions, fads and classics, so last weekend I decided that it was about high time I tackle my overflowing closet. It turns out; I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I did notice a few prominent items though... one of them being my obsession with blazers. This isn’t a horrible fixation by any means, and if there is one thing in this world to have an addiction to, I figure I’m doing alright. There is something about a blazer’s ability to dress up the most casual of outfits. It can instantly pull together any ensemble, add structure to a top that may be a touch too loose (I tend to have this issue, as I have an undying love for comfy tops... don’t worry, I’m working through this). Either way, I think every wardrobe should contain, at the very least, three blazers. You may think three is overkill, but listen to my reasoning and it will all make sense soon enough.

1.    The first and obvious choice is a classic black blazer; something that can be worn over a dress during an evening out, or with a more conservative work outfit. For this pick I would try to steer towards something that is fairly simple in its detailing and embellishment. My reasoning is such that you can always dress this up with jewellery or other garments that are “of the moment”. This jacket and silhouette is a classic...so don’t mess with it. 

2.    The second pick is one that is a little more on the casual side. I would lean towards a navy, camel, or dark brown shade. These colors tend to be a little more neutral and are perfect for every day wear, or any casual outfit. Think relaxed jeans and a cute scarf with a plain T- shirt.

3.    Lastly I would go for something that is slightly more fashion forward in it’s construction, but can still carry you through a few seasons if worn correctly. I have recently fallen in love with a blazer I found on Topshop. It has a slightly cropped silhouette, a folded lapel and a rich color by the name of ‘Oxblood’. Now, I don’t quite know if the color description necessarily suits it… but either way, it’s a beautiful, lush jewel tone, flattering on all bodies and skin tones. In my opinion you can’t go wrong with this one!

Moving On Out

There is certainly an age in a young adult's life where they toy with the idea of "independence." I have put the word in quotations because to be honest, I'm not really sure what independence means. 

I moved to Vancouver on my own after 20 years and 355 days on this earth. My reason for moving was purely for a change of scenery. I did not want or need to get out of my house, and truth be told I'd still be living in Alberta with my parents in our suburban house if it weren't for that thirst for change. After a year of living on my own, my parents were thirsty as well, and I moved in with them into 1000 square feet of Vancouver splendor. When I think back to that year on my own, though two years ago hardly seems to justify the "think back" saying, maybe I was a little naive about how fantastic it'd be to be independent. Living on your own is one thing, but living on your own in a new city/province/country, is totally different. Now, at 23, I'm living with my parents, about to graduate and thinking about that next step. To move out, or not to move out?

The entire idea of this post came to me when I was eating my tuna sandwich made lovingly for me by my Father. I'm pretty damn lucky to live rent free (but only if I'm a student, which I've intelligently extended), with my supportive and hilarious parents, in Vancouver. Who would ever move out of a place where you get your coffee and tuna sandwiches made for you in the morning while you're (literally) running out the door to make it in time for an 8 am class? Not me. For now, at least. 

-ACC

Spreading Love

Happy Monday! I'm sure "happy Monday" could be categorized as the biggest oxymoron ever. Agree? So, on this rainy, cold Monday, I woke up with no creativity. I want to do more frequent posts on the ol' bloggity so I thought I'd share with you my blog inspiration and link some of the blogs I love to read.

• The Anthology  - a local Vancouverite and expert vintage shopper/transformer
• Style Struck - also local; around my age and price point
• Cupcakes and Cashmere -blogging Queen
• The Rockstar Diaries - the most beautiful, adorable, fun family ever
• For Me, For You - Creative and a great writer; great taste in music
• The Style Diet - Irish, and great, classic style
• Mover, Mover - a friend and one of the most selfless, kind human beings 
• Talya Lee - also a friend; amazing style I'd never be able to pull off. Ever.
• A Cup of Jo - great writing and a cute little family
• Phillip DeFranco - 0% fashion, 100% awesome 
• Josh is Hollywood - Talya's brother. No words for this one. You just have to see it.
• Fashion Toast - Jealous of her wardrobe. You will be too.
• Hello Giggles - Amazing and hilarious. 
• Kelly Oxford - She speaks the truth, the whole truth. Not for the the faint of heart.

...that took much longer than I expected and I'm sure I've forgotten a few. Let me know some of your favorite blogs! 

-ACC

Christmas Galore!

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

So, here comes the Christmas decoration dilemma. My household just had the conversation of whether or not we should start putting up Christmas decorations. Now, I think it's a TAD too early and we've never, ever, put up decorations this early before. This makes me a bit miffed though, because as a 7 year old, it was never too early to put up Christmas decorations. I remember begging to put decorations up and I always had to be home to put the angel on top of the tree - mainly because as the youngest, my Dad could still lift me to do so. We never put up decorations before December, and even then it was December 6th or 7th. But all of a sudden, at 23, my family thinks Nov 6th isn't too early?! Blasphemy! In any case, my Dad and I both vetoed the decorations until at least the last week of November. When do your decorations go up? What holiday do you decorate for? 

-ACC

PS. I have always wanted to celebrate the New Year in New York City. I've been to New York in August, but I think it would be a surprisingly romantic city around the holidays.

Happy Birthday Brother #2

Happy Birthday, my dear brother. I have two older brothers. One is celebrating a birthday today and though I can't be with him to celebrate, we will see each other soon. I'll leave you with an after Halloween present (a photo of us kids). I love those crazy brothers of mine. 

-ACC

TMNT, Kermit the Frog, and me, a leopard. I make a scary leopard!

Late Night Rambles

Over the course of the past year and a bit, I've really taken a liking to this whole blogging thing. I've been studying blogs of all kinds, figuring out what attracts me to each one, all the while figuring out my own blog and creating compelling content. I love fashion blogs for their beautiful photos and fantastic inspiration I often apply to my own wardrobe, but it's not my passion. My everyday uniform is a t shirt and jeans covered by a great coat, great boots, and a great scarf. Every. Single. Day. Cooking blogs are just plain helpful whether cooking, to you, means the lazy man's KD or an elaborate 3 course meal. I love music, but who doesn't? (If you actually know someone who doesn't like music, I'd really really like to meet them.) As much as I love the internet and the relationships it can gift us with, I'm not quite comfortable with using a blog like a personal journal. I like the idea of using a blog for sharing - sharing things like inspiration and ideas, embarrassing childhood stories, photos, and maybe even a little advice. I find this world so difficult to handle sometimes. I am lucky for everything and everybody I have in my life because I have things and people in my life to love and, most importantly, who love me back. My Mom always says something wonderful to me whenever I've feeling down or far away from friends. She says, "no matter what happens with friends, boyfriends, lovers, etc., you will always have 4 people who love you." (4 as in my two older brothers and my Mom and Dad) It really makes me realize my luck in being born into my wonderful family, and just that simple thought makes whatever I was whining about a minute earlier, go away. 

-ACC